Chapter 204: Taking in a Maid, Qing Lin, and Proposing to Ya Fei

"It not only allows magical beasts to perfectly assume human form but also grants them the ability to freely switch between human and beast forms!"

As Zhou Yi spoke, he casually tossed a Transformation Pill—a treasure that would drive a Dou Emperor mad—to the Amethyst Winged Lion King. His tone was light:

"Work diligently in the future. I have plenty of Transformation Pills. Rewarding one to your daughter wouldn't be an issue."

"Thank you, Master! Thank you, Master! I would go through fire and water, shed blood and sacrifice my life for you without hesitation!"

The Amethyst Winged Lion King carefully stored the pill, his excitement overflowing as he expressed his gratitude profusely.

Off to the side, Gu He was utterly stunned.

The single Transformation Pill in his possession—a precious seventh-tier treasure—was the most valuable item in his entire collection. Yet, Zhou Yi casually handed one of far superior quality to a newly subdued sixth-tier magical beast. This level of extravagance...

...was utterly staggering.

Even Yun Yun, whose temperament was typically cold and indifferent, found her perception of Zhou Yi subtly shifting at this moment.

Wealth beyond measure.

Generosity unbound.

Strong, powerful, and handsome.

Who could possibly resist?

Seeing the Amethyst Winged Lion King so grateful, it was clear Zhou Yi had mastered the art of balancing grace and authority, wielding both with effortless skill. Especially with the grand promises Zhou Yi had painted for him—how could the Amethyst Winged Lion King not give his all?

"Senior mentioned we'll be neighbors in the future. Does that mean Senior plans to settle in the Jia Ma Empire?"

Yun Yun's beautiful eyes fixed on Zhou Yi with curiosity.

A powerhouse like Zhou Yi, if they could establish a good relationship, would only bring endless benefits.

As the Sect Master of the Misty Cloud Sect, Yun Yun might have a cold demeanor, but that depended on the person she dealt with.

In the eyes of commoners, she might appear as an untouchable ice queen or aloof goddess. Yet to some individuals, she was no more than an object they could manipulate at will.

"Indeed."

Zhou Yi nodded faintly.

"Has Senior found a place to stay? I am Yun Yun, Sect Master of the Misty Cloud Sect. In the Jia Ma Empire, I have some influence. Should you need assistance, do not hesitate to ask," Yun Yun offered warmly.

The fact that Zhou Yi had casually given the Amethyst Winged Lion King a supreme-grade seventh-tier Transformation Pill suggested not only his immense strength but also the possibility that he was a seventh-tier alchemist.

In the entire Jia Ma Empire, there wasn't a single seventh-tier alchemist. Even Gu He was merely a sixth-tier alchemist.

"Very well."

Zhou Yi gave a soft hum of acknowledgment as Yun Yun handed him a token.

"If there's anything you need, use this token to contact me at the Misty Cloud Sect," Yun Yun said sincerely.

"I'm sure we'll meet again soon," Zhou Yi replied with a slight smile.

With that, the Amethyst Winged Lion King spread its wings and carried Zhou Yi into the skies.

As Zhou Yi clenched his hand in the air, a mountain peak collapsed, revealing a hoard of Amethyst Essence Crystals, Amethyst Spirit Crystals, and a third-tier young Amethyst Winged Lion, all of which he promptly retrieved.

"To Wu Tan City!"

He commanded the Amethyst Winged Lion King as they soared away.

"Do you think Senior is an alchemist?" Yun Yun asked softly, her gaze lingering on Zhou Yi's fading silhouette.

"For someone to casually feed a seventh-tier Transformation Pill to the Amethyst Winged Lion King? I'd say there's a ninety-percent chance he's an alchemist—at least seventh-tier," Gu He replied, his tone filled with admiration.

As a sixth-tier alchemist himself, Gu He knew full well the difficulty of refining a Transformation Pill.

His eyes gleamed with fervent ambition.

Still, given that Zhou Yi intended to settle in the Jia Ma Empire, Gu He didn't rush to act; after all, there would be opportunities in the future.

"Let's go."

Yun Yun and Gu He unfurled their Dou Qi wings and flew out of the Magical Beast Forest, both secretly anticipating their next meeting with Zhou Yi.

On the way back to Wu Tan City, Zhou Yi made a brief detour to Stone Desert City, where he appeared before a petite figure.

The girl was young, seemingly even younger than Xiao Yan, dressed in simple yet elegant light-green attire. Though small in stature, her figure showed hints of premature maturity, with a faint air of innocence.

Her delicate, doll-like face bore a timid expression, much like a frightened rabbit, evoking an instinctive sense of pity.

"Don't be afraid. Come with me," Zhou Yi said with a gentle smile, extending his hand.

His deep, magnetic voice carried an almost supernatural charm, instantly soothing the girl's nerves.

Hesitantly, Qing Lin reached out, her small hand trembling slightly.

As her sleeve slipped back, it revealed a section of her snow-white wrist—marked with faint green snake scales.

Zhou Yi's gaze briefly flicked over the scales, showing no surprise.

Realizing he had noticed, Qing Lin froze. Her face paled in panic as she hastily pulled her sleeve back down, retreating two steps with unease. Hugging her knees tightly, she crouched in a corner, her petite frame trembling violently.

"I... I'm sorry... I didn't mean to frighten you..." Qing Lin stammered, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and desperation.

Her words carried a faint sob, like a fragile bird trembling under a storm.

Stone Desert City was near the Tager Desert, home to the Snake-People Tribe.

It was common knowledge that human men were often captivated by the beauty of snake-women. The reverse, however, was also true.

Occasionally, human women were assaulted by snake-men in the region.

Ordinarily, such unions bore no fruit.

But as with all things, exceptions existed. On rare occasions, a woman impregnated by a snake-man might give birth to a child.

Such children, however, rarely survived past the age of two.

Qing Lin was an exception among exceptions.

Yet, for people like Qing Lin, both humans and serpentfolk regarded them as cursed beings. Despite living for so many years, her life had been filled with nothing but disdain and ridicule.

As Zhou Yi approached Qing Lin, he crouched down, gently stroking her head. Then, amidst her fearful gaze, he took her slender arm and carefully rolled up her sleeve. Gazing at the azure serpent scales on her skin, his voice softened unexpectedly.

"Such beautiful scales."

Qing Lin froze in disbelief. Ever since she was born, Zhou Yi was the first person to describe the very scales that terrified even herself as "beautiful."

In her scarred, fragile heart, a peculiar warmth slowly bloomed. Staring at Zhou Yi with her enchanting yet timid eyes, she hesitantly asked,

"Young Master... aren't you afraid?"

Qing Lin's eyes, clear as spring water with a faint green hue, glimmered faintly. Deep within her pupils, three tiny emerald spots seemed to swirl subtly.

Zhou Yi recognized this unique trait—it was the Emerald Serpent's Triple Pupils.

But such details hardly fazed Zhou Yi.

"From now on, stay by my side and be my personal maid. How about that?"

Zhou Yi extended a hand toward her, smiling gently.

Qing Lin stared at Zhou Yi with a mixture of fear and awe. This was the first person who didn't loathe her, and he was so breathtakingly handsome. Her heart brimmed with an unfamiliar warmth.

"Mhm, mhm."

Qing Lin nodded vigorously, her soft voice trembling. "From now on, I'll be your personal maid. Whatever you ask of me, Qing Lin will do."

"Let's go, then."

Zhou Yi lifted Qing Lin effortlessly and left the Stone Desert City with her in his arms.

When Qing Lin's surroundings came back into focus, she found herself atop a massive magical beast. Trembling with fear, she clung tightly to Zhou Yi.

Nearby, Xiao Yixian, the Little Fairy Doctor, glanced at the timid Qing Lin with a hint of curiosity.

"This is Qing Lin," Zhou Yi introduced warmly.

"And she is Xiao Yixian," he added, bridging the gap between the two.

The introduction seemed to ignite a sense of kinship between the two women, both of whom bore their own burdens. Their bond formed instantly.

Half an hour later...

The Amethyst Winged Lion King carried Zhou Yi, Qing Lin, and Xiao Yixian to the skies above Wu Tan City. The sheer majesty of the six-tier magical beast shook the entire city.

"My heavens, what is that?"

"A colossal magical beast!"

"An attack? Everyone, run!"

"Wait, isn't that the legendary six-tier beast—the Amethyst Winged Lion King?!"

"Why would such a terrifying beast appear here?"

"No, look! Someone's riding it!"

"It's been subdued!"

"That's... Master Zhou Yi!"

"What?! That's Master Zhou Yi?"

"Master Zhou is so young—and so handsome! To think he subdued the Amethyst Winged Lion King..."

The city erupted into chaos, disbelief, and admiration.

For this was no ordinary beast—it was the Amethyst Winged Lion King, a creature on par with a Dou Emperor!

Zhou Yi's name once again swept through Wu Tan City, leaving everyone in awe.

"This... this is what a true hero should be!"

In the back courtyard of the Xiao Clan, Xiao Yan clenched his fists as he stared at Zhou Yi, who stood proudly atop the lion. His heart surged with determination. One day, he vowed, he too would ride a six-tier magical beast and return in triumph to amaze the world.

At the top floor of the Miteer Auction House...

Ya Fei, wrapped in a silk robe, revealed a tantalizing glimpse of her fair skin as her bewitching eyes fixed on Zhou Yi standing atop the lion. Pride and admiration gleamed in her gaze.

"This is my man," she thought, her heart pounding.

He was strong. Overwhelmingly so.

But when her eyes drifted to the two girls beside Zhou Yi, a pang of jealousy flickered within her.

Later, Zhou Yi brought the Amethyst Winged Lion King, Xiao Yixian, and Qing Lin to the auction house and ensured they were comfortably settled. Then, he made his way to Ya Fei's room, pulling her into his embrace. Her alluring fragrance filled his senses as he whispered,

"Jealous, are we?"

"How could I dare, my lord?" Ya Fei teased, her voice coy yet tinged with bitterness.

"Oh, really?" Zhou Yi chuckled, scooping her up and tossing her onto the bed.

"Ah—!"

The gauzy red curtains fell, casting their figures in a dreamy, ethereal light.

Zhou Yi resolved to compensate her with his full affection.

As they shared their passion, he murmured gently, "Tomorrow, I'll go to the imperial capital to propose. I'll marry you with all the glory you deserve. How does that sound?"

Tears glistened in Ya Fei's eyes as she nestled against his chest, her heart melting. "Thank you, my lord."

For all her charm and grace, Ya Fei lacked both cultivation talent and alchemical skills. Deep down, she had always feared that Zhou Yi would one day tire of her.

But in this moment, all her worries vanished.

The next day, Zhou Yi mounted the Amethyst Winged Lion King and set off for the Miteer Clan, with Ya Fei by his side.

The proposal proceeded without a hitch.

Unlike others who might face disdain or ridicule, Zhou Yi was welcomed with open arms. Miteer Tengshan, the clan patriarch, personally greeted him, his enthusiasm only growing when Zhou Yi presented two bottles of Dou Pills as a betrothal gift.

The wedding date was quickly set.

A month later, the joyous news spread, causing a sensation across the entire Jia Ma Empire.

-------

Want to read ahead of schedule?

Join here: patreon.com / igotneonlight

There are more than 100 advance chapters available for you!